Main biopsychosocial predictors associated with learning disabilities in children and adolescents: a case-control analysis

Objective: To identify the major specific causes of learning disability and its biopsychosocial predictors in children and adolescents residents in Florianópolis Metropolitan Area. Methods: Crossectional observational study with case-control analysis. Were used data from 108 children and adolescents, from 6 to 14 years, which include 54 cases and 54 control patients. Data were collected from Nucleo Desenvolver, a part of the Childcare Unity of the Federal University of Santa Catarina. The data statistical analysis was executed through SPSS 22.0 software, using the Chi-Square Test for Association, or Fischer’s Exact Test. The independent variables and the outcome were measured by Odds Ratio and presented, using the OpenEpi 2006 software, a confidence interval of 95%. Results: The major causes of learning disability identified was: Emotional disorders damaging learning (29,6%) and Dyslexia (24,1%). The univariate analysis of the biopsychosocial predictors with the identified major diagnosis demonstrated association between family conflict and emotional disorders (p<0,005) and between dyslexia and parental situation (p=0,044), family conflict (p<0,005), tics or mania reported (p=0.028), NPMD delay (p=0,004) and low mother schooling (p